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DES families and students,

We have finally reached the end of the quarter and school year. It's hard to believe, officially, the end of the year has arrived. With the close of the school, the end is bittersweet. While we would rather have our students here to celebrate all the perseverance, dedication, and positive attitude toward creating new academic successes and achievements, both during the in-person and our remote learning period.  I am so proud to be able to serve our amazingly clever and hard-working students and the entire Du Quoin community. So with every academic year, we say goodbye to some faculty. We offer congratulations to Mrs. Justice, who after 35 years in education, is retiring. We humbly thank her for all the tireless energy and commitments she has made to our school, district, and community. We wish her all the best in the next journey of her life!

I know there are lots of questions about the close of the school year, so please read through these items carefully. 

1.) We will collect any completed work, library books, and textbooks Monday, May 18 through Wednesday, May 20. There will be containers on the sidewalk marked by grade level to turn in these items. The containers will be available daily from 8AM - 3PM. If you need an alternate time to return work or books, please call the office and enter extension 1050 and I will be happy to set up a separate appointment. 

2) Student work during the 4th quarter - the entire Remote Learning period - that has been finished will be marked as completed with a "P" for pass. We understand how difficult and uneven this time has been and inline with the "do no harm" philosophy will only use finished work to benefit student achievement. Any work that has been completed, regardless if online and/or paper packets will be issued a passing score for the quarter. 

3) We, the teachers, staff and I, are planning a "Welcome to Summer" parade. We will be in our individual vehicles, driving around the community to wish, while from a distance, our students a "welcome to summer vacation." While we can't visit every home, I am working with Mrs. Taylor, our bus supervisor, to plan the route. I will provide the potential route at a later time. In coordination with the city and state guidance, we need your cooperation. Everyone must stay in their doorway and/or sidewalk and has to observe social distancing to be safe, by staying 6 feet apart and/or wearing masks. 

4) Concerning your student's resources at school. We have those bagged by homeroom and student names. Student's items from their desk/locker will be ready for pickup following this schedule for curbside pickup next week:

Monday, May 18 - 8AM- 11AM - 4th grade; 12PM - 3PM - 2nd Grade

Tuesday, May 19 - 8AM - 11AM - Kindergarten; 12PM-3PM - 3rd Grade

Wednesday, May 20 - 8AM - 11AM - 1st Grade

If unable to make the specific time or have students in multiple grades from which you need to collect items, please reach out to your teacher to arrange for the items to be combined. 

If you haven't checked in with your teacher this week, please fill out the Remote Learning Check-in Form https://forms.gle/i1819WkSy3J7...

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Diana Rea

Elementary Principal/Director of Instructional Services

Du Quoin Community Unit School District #300

845 East Jackson Street

Du Quoin, IL 62832

(618) 542-2646 -  ext. 1050